I hook rugs, I knit and I have a life - not always in that order. Hooking rugs in the traditional way is a passion. Knitting is a way of keeping those idle hands busy. In my life, I am a mother, partner, sister,aunt, friend and a happy grammy. I work with volunteers and seniors when I'm not doing those other things. I enjoy being creative - and often reinvent the wheel. Above all, I value things that are not only beautiful but useful.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Deadline met!

After the feverish knitting on last month's Project Runway challenge, the silence around the April challenge must have been deafening. If you listened real hard you could hear the thoughts running around like gerbils, though.

The challenge was, for those not on Ravelry, a bag designed for a specific client complete with the back story. It took a long while to percolate through the gray cells, but I finally had a client - me! A knitter,who lives in Vancouver, who loves being close to the ocean, who doesn't mind the rain and who wants a knitting bag that is really a purse. It should have a shoulder strap and no felting, please. I wanted to design something to reflect this part of her life.

I looked in my stash and found some Buffalo yarn that I'd been collecting. I also had a lot of old patterns for those Cowichan-style sweaters that were all the rage in the 80's. I figured it would be a pretty quick knit. Oh, I've forgotten how hard that yarn is to work. It's just 6 strands of roving; it breaks often and unpredictably. It's very hard on the hands and quite slow. But, it is very strong fabric, almost waterproof and it will last forever. So, I decided on a wave motif in blue/gray and a big pink setting sun falling into the waves. In Vancouver, there is always the possibility of gray clouds.

The strap is knit all in one piece in a moss stitch. Oh, we have lots of moss here. But I really chose it so the strap wouldn't stretch. Then I noticed that the bumps were like rocks on the seashore - perfect. I made a flap to keep the rain out. And for those purse days, I included a removable pink clutch which can hold wallet, keys. etc. All that stuff which can get tangled in knitting. I put a vintage button on because my client loves buttons and bit of glitter always makes her smile. I call this The Vancouver Bag. All puns intended.

It's big enough to get a pattern magazine in as well as the knitting and the clutch. I don't think it would look out of place with jeans or a something more dressy. Maybe not with the sequins, though.

So, if you were worrying, I did make the deadline - just. Now I have to stir my mind for the May challenge. But that's another post.
If you're a Raveler, please go to the Project Yarnway forum and vote for your favorites on the amateur, as well as, the professional runways.

6 comments:

Oh my gosh!!!!! You know how some women are always shopping for and collecting shoes? Well, my thing is purses! I love to shop for them and have drawers full. This is THE prettiest, cutest, most unusual, most adorable...!!! If we lived close, I would ask you to make me one so I could buy it from you. I love how you showed from the top, too.

This is just fantastic Stephanie, in the design and the knitting.The pink clutch reminds me too of those handbag liners, where you just remove and pop it into another bag when you want a change.And you made the deadline- great achievement. I'm off to vote now.

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rowanberrystudio

all my hooking, knitting and other projects can be found under this name. On Ravelry, webshots, and Flickr.Wherever you find me, please leave a comment so I can come visit you! Thanks for stopping by...Stephanie

About Me

I have always identified as an original Baby Boomer. I get just a little edgy when there is talk of those young 'uns also being in this generation. I have a great life where I can do anything I want. The days are wa-a-y too short.